We’re proud to welcome these seven passionate individuals to the International Storytelling Center’s Board of Directors. Each one brings a unique blend of experience, insight, and heartfelt dedication to the power of story.
Rebecca Alexander
Location: Jonesborough, TN
Bio: Rebecca is a longtime member of the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild, performing locally for over 27 years. She is a passionate advocate for storytelling as a universal connector and brings a strong background in performance, communication, and community engagement.
What is it about storytelling that drew you to ISC?
It is an honor to serve on the ISC board. I have been a performing member of the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild for 27 years and I know the power of storytelling. If you think of your favorite teacher, preacher, motivational speaker, or singer, what you love is the story they tell. Often it is because their story is our story. So I’m thrilled to be on a board that promotes and expands the use of story.
What skills do you bring to the ISC board, and are there any specific goals or accomplishments you hope to achieve during your tenure with ISC?
I hope that I can help with fundraising and bringing awareness across the world for the importance of storytelling.
Randy Evensen
Location: Utah County, UT
Bio: A retired elementary educator and beloved community storyteller, Randy has performed at the National Storytelling Festival, the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival, and in classrooms across Utah. His stories are rooted in warmth, family, and tradition.
What is it about storytelling that drew you to ISC?
I believe that storytelling plays a vital role in fostering connections between individuals and communities. Being a part of the ISC offers me a valuable opportunity to contribute to this mission by promoting meaningful engagement and collaboration.
What skills do you bring to the ISC board, and are there any specific goals or accomplishments you hope to achieve during your tenure with ISC?
One of my key objectives is to facilitate collaboration among festivals. Rather than viewing each other as competitors, storytelling festivals should recognize that they share a common goal—connecting people through stories. I would like to foster partnerships that enable them to work together toward this shared mission, enhancing their collective impact.
Belinda Keiner
Location: Johnson City, TN
Bio: Belinda is the founder and president of Bravissima! Women Sponsoring the Arts, a philanthropic group supporting regional arts. She brings decades of experience in marketing, public relations, and strategic communications in both the public and private sectors.
What is it about storytelling that drew you to ISC?
I was enchanted with storytelling from the first time I attended in 2010. Being a part of the audience at the festival and at the Storytelling Center is exhilarating in so many ways because of our shared fun, laughter, and sometimes tears. The camaraderie grows each year as you interact with people from all over the world. The life that’s brought to every show is a huge part of our flourishing arts community.
What skills do you bring to the ISC board, and are there any specific goals or accomplishments you hope to achieve during your tenure with ISC?
With a strong background in public relations, marketing, and fundraising, I understand the value of all three for any international entity. I plan to help hone our marketing strategy to target specific audiences, build business partnerships, and increase awareness, attendance, and funds to grow ISC according to our hopes for the future. I’d like to help increase each of these areas by at least ten percent each year.
Deborah Lowery
Location: Johnson City, TN
Bio: Deborah is a nationally award-winning writer and retired Director of Storytelling for Ballad Health. Her past roles include executive editor at Cooking Light, foods editor at Southern Living, and creator of a pioneering storytelling program for patient care.
What is it about storytelling that drew you to ISC?
As a 7th-generation Appalachian, storytelling has always been a part of my family’s culture. Since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, I’ve listened to tales from as far back as the Civil War about Tweetsie, Old Butler, mountain hermits, floods, moonshiners, and TVA.
The storytelling bug bit me early—I began interviewing family in high school, studied journalism, and built a career writing stories of people and places. After working with ISC to bring storytelling to hospitals, I saw firsthand how healing it can be. ISC has become part of my personal and professional life, and I’m honored to help expand that mission globally.
What skills do you bring to the ISC board, and are there any specific goals or accomplishments you hope to achieve during your tenure with ISC?
I bring 40+ years of experience in writing, marketing, and narrative-based healing. I hope to help ISC:
- Be recognized as a leader in storytelling for medicine and healing
- Collaborate with research institutions in narrative medicine
- Create revenue-generating storytelling programs for healthcare and businesses
- Complete the Seal of Excellence project with Ballad Health’s new Unicoi County Hospital
Sue Roseberry
Location: Midland, TX
Bio: Sue is the Executive & Artistic Director of the Midland Storytelling Festival and an accomplished storyteller, author, and grant writer. She has 30+ years of leadership experience and deep roots in gospel music and community arts.
What is it about storytelling that drew you to ISC?
ISC has always represented the epitome of the oral tradition—introducing us to incredible artists who fascinate with their ability to share stories. I first attended the National Storytelling Festival as a teller at Exchange Place. Since then, I’ve returned often to scout talent and connect with the ISC community. I’m honored to help carry this tradition forward.
What skills do you bring to the ISC board, and are there any specific goals or accomplishments you hope to achieve during your tenure with ISC?
As a festival director and performing artist, I bring a unique perspective. The late Jimmy Neil Smith once said the Midland festival was the national model for storytelling in education. I hope to foster collaborations between ISC and other festivals and help strengthen storytelling’s role in building better communities and lives.
Jeff Anderson
Location: Johnson City, TN
Bio: Jeff is a retired attorney, development officer, and former public official who has worked in law, fundraising, and foundation leadership at the local, state, and federal levels. He previously served on the ISC board under founder Jimmy Neil Smith.
Note: Jeff’s Q&A is not currently available, but look for it to be added soon.
Kelly Davis
Location: Durham, NC
Bio: Kelly is a research program leader at Duke University’s School of Medicine where he supports population health and narrative-based research. His earlier work included building ESL and refugee storytelling programs across North Carolina. He brings deep insight into education, grantmaking, and the applied use of storytelling in health and community settings.
What is it about storytelling that drew you to ISC?
I grew up in a storytelling-rich world—surrounded by people who used stories not just to entertain, but to teach, connect, and make sense of life. Storytelling feels fundamental to how we make sense of the world, which is exactly what has always excited me about ISC—a place where that power is recognized and celebrated.
What skills do you bring to the ISC board, and are there any specific goals or accomplishments you hope to achieve during your tenure with ISC?
I’m a natural planner who enjoys thinking strategically to tackle complex goals. I hope to bring that mindset to my work on the board. While I don’t have specific objectives yet, I’m eager to learn and contribute wherever I can be most helpful.